If Leading Means Being The Expert, What Should You Be Expert At?

While conducting a recent workshop I was reminded about the pitfalls of thinking that as leaders or managers we have to be experts. Leading is not about “getting it right” every time. Nor is it about telling other people what they should do or why they should do it. Leading does not have to mean that you should always share your eternal wisdom or save someone from impending peril. It’s not that those actions are never called for. Leadership is about being aware of what is real and making choices for action and sometimes, even inaction. As leaders, all too often we help and forget to be asked.

For every dilemma there are almost always multiple solutions. For every skill, tool, or process there are many effective ways to apply them.

What is the purpose you are trying to achieve in a given situation? That is where leadership begins. When I get confused about what to do, who to listen, how to proceed, I find it helpful to go back to this question. I find when I am clear about my purpose or our purpose, everything else becomes easier.

There are other important considerations once your purpose is clear. Consider: what is intriguing about the issue you are considering? What assumptions are you holding about it? Are these assumptions true at this time? Personal reflection helps me to understand why I might be considering certain options. What am I reacting to? What are the possible impacts of th choices ahead? The questions can and should go on for some time (unless you’re in a life and death situation). Too often we forget about the reflection and the asking. We focus prematurely on the decision-making and the directing. But more than anything, leadership is about asking.

Ask for what you want. Ask for help. Ask for clarity. Ask for insight. Be an expert at asking.